Systems and methods for assignment and allocation of mixed-type combinations of slots

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for performing allocation of mixed-type combinations of slots are provided. Specifically, in a single assignment message, an allocation of slots over two frames and slots over four frames is performed. These can be RTTI and BTTI blocks for example.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/600,101, filed Nov. 13, 2009, which is national stage of entryPCT/CA2009/000174, filed Feb. 13, 2009, and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/029,181, filed Feb. 15, 2008, thesubject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

FIELD

The application relates to systems and methods for communication betweennetworks and user equipment using time division multiplexing.

BACKGROUND

Some wireless telecommunications systems employ a time divisionmultiplexing scheme. The transmission time available for each of one ormore frequencies is divided into slots. By way of example, in GSM eachfrequency is divided into eight slots collectively referred to as aframe, and these slots repeat in time.

In this description, assignment refers to signalling used to identifyslots that are made available to a given UE. In this description,allocation refers to the actual reception/transmission of data onspecific slots. An allocation will necessarily be a subset or all of theavailable assignment. Multiple UEs can have the same or overlappingassignments, and allocation will be used to avoid collisions. Aparticular allocation of slots within a frame or series of frames istypically repeated over a period of time. This is referred to as a TBF(temporary block flow). The TBF is a unidirectional entity: an uplinkTBF relates to uplink assignment/allocation and a downlink TBF relatesto downlink assignment/allocation. The slot numbering for the uplink isoffset from the slot numbering for the downlink such that a downlinkslot and an uplink slot with the same number can be assigned andallocated on both the downlink and the uplink without requiring the UEto receive and transmit at the same time. For a given user equipment(UE), the same physical time slot can be assigned and/or allocated foreither the uplink or the downlink, but not both. However, due to theoffset numbering scheme described above, slots having the same slotnumber can be assigned and allocated on both the uplink and downlink.

Multiple UEs in a given area share these time slots. Whenever each UEhas data, it will, based on an uplink allocation mechanism, send data inthe uplink direction. The network will also send data in the downlinkdirection on these slots to multiple mobiles. For example, in a firstframe slot 0 may contain data for a first UE, while in a next frame, thesame slot may contain data for a second UE. Since a slot is a very smalltime unit, a slot may be allocated to a UE over multiple consecutiveframes. For example, a BTTI (Basic Transmit Time Interval) blockconsists of a slot allocated over four consecutive frames. For example,frame 1 slot 1, frame 2 slot 1, frame 3 slot 1 and frame 4 slot 1 makeup a BTTI block. In some implementations, a frame is approximately 5 msin duration, such that a BTTI block will span over four frames, or a 20ms interval. A BTTI TBF is a TBF which uses BTTI blocks.

An RTTI (Reduced Transmit Time Interval) block uses the same framestructure introduced above, but an RTTI block consists of a pair ofslots during a first frame, and a pair of slots during the next framesuch that an RTTI block will span over two frames or a 10 ms interval.An RTTI TBF is a TBF which uses RTTI blocks. The transmission intervalfor an RTTI block compared to a BTTI block is reduced by half. Becauseof the pairing restriction, RTTI TBFs can only be used in assignmentswhere there is an even number of uplink slots or an even number ofdownlink slots. For example, RTTI TBFs can be used in 2+2, 4+2, and 2+4multi-slot-pairs of assignment (based on the UE multi-slot capability),where the “n+m” nomenclature indicates a pair of assignments includingfirst assignment of n receive slots and a second assignment of mtransmit slots.

RTTI blocks are always assigned in pairs of slots. Thus, a 2+2assignment represents a first assignment of a pair of slots forreception, and a second assignment of a pair of slots for transmission.A 4+2 assignment represents a first assignment of two pairs of slots forreception, and a second assignment of one pair of slots fortransmission.

Specifically, there may be multiple classes of user equipment that eachaccommodate a specific maximum number of downlink or receive slots, aspecific maximum number of uplink or transmit slots, a minimum time gapbetween receiving and transmitting, and a minimum time gap betweentransmitting and receiving. A particular set of 45 classes is defined in3GPP TS 45.002 V7.6.0 Annex B.

In applications that would benefit from using RTTI TBFs, the multi-slotcapability of certain UE multi-slot classes cannot be exploited fullydue to the pairing requirement. In a specific example, a class 12 UEsupports a maximum of four receive timeslots, a maximum of four transmittimeslots, such that the sum of the total timeslots allocated cannotexceed five. However, of the available RTTI multi-slot assignments, onlythe 2+2 pair of assignments will accommodate the constraints of theclass 12 UE. This means that the user equipment has an additionalreceive or transmit slot capability that it is not able to utilize whenin RTTI mode. In more general terms, for the specific class definitionsreferred to above, this situation exists where the desired number oftransmit slots and/or the desired number of receive slots is an oddnumber that is greater than or equal to three.

This limitation can be addressed by assigning multiple TBFs to the UEfor the uplink and/or the downlink. For example, the 3+2 or 2+3capability of a class 12 UE could be implemented with 2+2 RTTI TBF pairof assignments in combination with a BTTI TBF assignment in the downlinkor uplink respectively. Multiple TBFs may be appropriate when the UE issupporting multiple PDP (packet data protocol) contexts that havedifferent QoS (quality of service) or other service parameters. Howeversetting up and managing multiple TBFs causes an increase in signallingload, and requires support of this feature on both the network and theUE. This solution is inappropriate when a single application (forexample FTP, HTTP) needs to benefit from RTTI and also at the same timeneeds to exploit the full multi-slot capability of the UE in thelimiting cases described above.

SUMMARY

According to one broad aspect, the disclosure provides a method innetwork access equipment comprising: in respect of downlink timedivision multiple access communication using slots, transmitting asingle assignment message containing an assignment of a first mixed-typecombination of slots to a single flow.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a method inuser equipment (UE) comprising: in respect of downlink time divisionmultiple access communication using slots, receiving an assignment in asingle assignment message that assigns a first mixed-type combination ofslots to a single flow.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a userequipment comprising: a receive module, a determination module and atransmission module; the receive module configured to receive a messageindicating an assignment of a mixed TTI TBF for downlink communications;the determination module configured to decode the message to determinethe assignment; the receive module receiving based on the mixed TTI TBFassignment.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a networkaccess equipment comprising: a receive module, a selection module and atransmission module; the selection module configured to assign a mixedTTI TBF assignment for a UE and to instruct the transmission module tosignal the mixed TTI TBF assignment to the UE; the receive module andtransmission module configured to receive and/or transmit using anallocation of the mixed TTI TBF assignment.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a method innetwork access equipment comprising: in respect of time divisionmultiple access communication using slots, transmitting a singleassignment message containing an assignment of a first mixed-typecombination of slots to a single flow.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a methodcomprising: using an RTTI PACCH (packet associated control channel) tocarry signalling information in respect of a mixed TTI TBF.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a methodcomprising: transmitting/receiving two RLC blocks with BSNs i, j wherei<j, using a slot-pair slota and slotb assigned to carry an RTTI blockand a slotc assigned to carry a BTTI block; if slota and slotb areallocated in the first two TDMA frames (first 10 ms) of a basic 20 mstime unit block, then the RLC block with BSN i is transmitted/receivedas an RTTI block on slot-pair slota and slotb and the RLC block with BSNj is transmitted/received in BTTI mode on slotc; if slota and slotb areallocated in the last two TDMA frames (next 10 ms) of a basic 20 ms timeunit block, then: if both slota and slotb are <slotc then the RLC blockwith BSN i is transmitted/received as an RTTI block on slot-pair slotaand slotb and the RLC block with BSN j is transmitted/received in BTTImode on slotc; else the RLC block with BSN i is transmitted/received inBTTI mode on slotc and the RLC block with BSN j is transmitted/receivedas an RTTI block on slot-pair slota and slotb.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a method ofperforming uplink allocation comprising: transmitting/receiving a USF onthe first slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding with anassigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames, anda USF on one or more downlink slots having corresponding assigned uplinkBTTI block(s) to allocate an RTTI block on both slots of thecorresponding uplink timeslot pair in the first two TDMA frames (i.e.TDMA frames one and two of the following basic radio block period(s))and a BTTI block on each uplink slot assigned in BTTI mode for which thecorresponding downlink slot containing a USF, on all four TDMA frames ofthe following basic radio block period(s) (i.e. the four framesfollowing the four frames containing the USF); transmitting/receiving aUSF on the second slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding with anassigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames, anda USF on one or more downlink slots having corresponding assigned uplinkBTTI block(s) to allocate an RTTI block on both slots of thecorresponding uplink timeslot-pair in the next two TDMA frames (i.e.TDMA frames three and four of the following basic radio block period(s))and a BTTI block on each uplink slot assigned in BTTI mode for which thecorresponding downlink slot contained a USF, on all four TDMA frames ofthe following basic radio block period(s) (i.e. the four framesfollowing the four frames containing the USF); transmitting/receivingUSFs on the first and second slots of a pair of downlink slotscorresponding with an assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over fourdownlink frames, and a USF on one or more downlink slots havingcorresponding assigned uplink BTTI block(s) to allocate a first RTTIblock on both slots of the corresponding uplink timeslot-pair on thefirst two TDMA frames in the next basic radio block period and a secondRTTI block on both slots of the corresponding uplink timeslot-pair onthe next two TDMA frames (frames three and four) in the following basicradio block period, and one BTTI block on each uplink slot assigned inBTTI mode for which the corresponding downlink slot contained a USF, onfour TDMA frames of the following basic radio block period (i.e. withinthe four frames following the four frames containing the USF).

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a method ofperforming uplink allocation comprising: transmitting/receiving a USF onthe first slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding with anassigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames toallocate resources in the first two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period(s) on the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and all assigned uplink slot-pairs with highernumbered timeslots than the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission, and to allocate resources on all assigned uplinkslots for BTTI block transmission with higher timeslot numbers than anyslot of the corresponding uplink slot-pair; transmitting/receiving a USFon the second slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding with anassigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames toallocate resources in the second two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period(s) on the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and all assigned uplink slot-pairs with highernumbered timeslots than the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and to allocate resources on all assigned uplinkslots for BTTI block transmission with higher timeslot numbers than anyslot of the corresponding uplink slot-pair.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a networkaccess equipment comprising: a receive module, a selection module and atransmission module; the selection module configured to assign a mixedTTI TBF assignment for a UE and to instruct the transmission module tosignal the mixed TTI TBF assignment to the UE; the receive module andtransmission module configured to receive and/or transmit using anallocation of the mixed TTI TBF assignment.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a method inuser equipment (UE) comprising: in respect of time division multipleaccess communication using slots, receiving an assignment in a singleassignment message that assigns the first mixed-type combination ofslots to a single flow.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a userequipment comprising: a receive module, a determination module and atransmission module; the receive module configured to receive a messageindicating an assignment of a mixed TTI TBF; the determination moduleconfigured to decode the message to determine the assignment; thereceive module and/or the transmission module receiving and/ortransmitting in accordance with an allocation of the mixed TTI TBFassignment.

According to another broad aspect, the disclosure provides a networkaccess equipment comprising: a receive module, a selection module and atransmission module; the selection module configured to assign a mixedTTI TBF assignment for a UE and to instruct the transmission module tosignal the mixed TTI TBF assignment to the UE; the receive module andtransmission module configured to receive and/or transmit using anallocation of the mixed TTI TBF assignment.

Other embodiments provide one or more computer-readable media havingcomputer executable instructions stored thereon for executing, orcoordinating the execution of one or more of the methods summarizedabove, or detailed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference tothe attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cellular network according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cell in a cellular network according toan embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 3 to 12 illustrate examples of mixed TTI (MTTI) TBFs;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method of slot assignment for MTTI TBFs;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a wireless communications system including amobile device operable for some of the various embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a mobile device operable for some of thevarious embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a software environment that may be implementedon a mobile device operable for some of the various embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 17 is an exemplary general purpose computer according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is an exemplary diagram of modules in the UE;

FIG. 19 is an exemplary diagram of modules in the network accessequipment;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method for execution by network accessequipment; and

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a method for execution by a UE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrativeimplementations of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure areprovided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implementedusing any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence.The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrativeimplementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, includingthe exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and describedherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claimsalong with their full scope of equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cellular network 100 according to anembodiment of the disclosure. The cellular network 100 may include aplurality of cells 102 ₁, 102 ₂, 102 ₃, 102 ₄, 102 ₅, 102 ₆, 102 ₇, 102₈, 102 ₉, 102 ₁₀, 102 ₁₁, 102 ₁₂, 102 ₁₃, and 102 ₁₄ (collectivelyreferred to as cells 102). As is apparent to persons of ordinary skillin the art, each of the cells 102 represents a coverage area forproviding cellular services of the cellular network 100 throughcommunication from a network access equipment (for example but notlimited to a BSS (base station system) or eNB). While the cells 102 aredepicted as having non-overlapping coverage areas, persons of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that one or more of the cells 102 mayhave partially overlapping coverage with adjacent cells. In addition,while a particular number of the cells 102 are depicted, persons ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that a larger or smaller numberof the cells 102 may be included in the cellular network 100.

One or more UEs 10 may be present in each of the cells 102. Althoughonly one UE 10 is depicted and is shown in only one cell 102 ₁₂, it willbe apparent to one of skill in the art that a plurality of UEs 10 may bepresent in each of the cells 102. A network access equipment 20 in eachof the cells 102 performs functions similar to those of a traditionalbase station. That is, the network access equipments 20 provide a radiolink between the UEs 10 and other components in a telecommunicationsnetwork. While the network access equipment 20 is shown only in cell 102₁₂, it should be understood that network access equipment would bepresent in each of the cells 102. A central control 110 may also bepresent in the cellular network 100 to oversee some of the wireless datatransmissions within the cells 102.

FIG. 2 depicts a more detailed view of the cell 102 ₁₂. The networkaccess equipment 20 in cell 102 ₁₂ may promote communication via atransmitter 27, a receiver 29, and/or other well known equipment.Similar equipment might be present in the other cells 102. A pluralityof UEs 10 are present in the cell 102 ₁₂, as might be the case in theother cells 102. In the present disclosure, the cellular systems orcells 102 are described as engaged in certain activities, such astransmitting signals; however, as will be readily apparent to oneskilled in the art, these activities would in fact be conducted bycomponents comprising the cells.

In each cell, the transmissions from the network access equipment 20 tothe UEs 10 are referred to as downlink transmissions, and thetransmissions from the UEs 10 to the network access equipment 20 arereferred to as uplink transmissions. The UE may include any device thatmay communicate using the cellular network 100. For example, the UE mayinclude devices such as a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, anavigation system, or any other devices known to persons of ordinaryskill in the art that may communicate using the cellular network 100.

A mixed TTI (MTTI) TBF is provided that is a single TBF, assigned with asingle TBF assignment message, that combines at least one RTTI blockwith at least one BTTI block. In an MTTI TBF, one or more pairs of slotscarry respective RTTI blocks over two frames, and one or more singleslots (i.e. a slot that does not form part of a pair) carry BTTI blocksover four frames. MTTI TBF assignment and allocation may be used for thedownlink and/or the uplink.

In some embodiments, an assignment of an MTTI TBF includes an assignmentfor the uplink only, or for the downlink only. In this case, a firstassignment is made for the uplink and/or a second assignment is made forthe downlink, and one or both of these can be MTTI TBF assignments. Theuplink and downlink assignments are not necessarily symmetrical. All ofthe detailed examples presented below assume this type of assignment.

In some embodiments, an assignment of an MTTI TBF is part of a singleassignment message that includes an assignment for the uplink and thedownlink. Again, the uplink and downlink assignments are not necessarilysymmetrical.

Downlink and Uplink Assignment

New MTTI TBFs are defined, and when such a TBF is assigned to a givenUE, MTTI TBF assignment information is signaled to the user equipment.The user equipment that receives the MTTI TBF assignment informationwill know precisely the number of and location of timeslots assigned toeach block type.

The following is a specific example of MTTI TBF assignment informationthat can be used to specify any of the MTTI TBF assignments described indetail below. A downlink MTTI TBF assignment identifies which downlinkslots will use BTTI configuration and which downlink slots will use RTTIconfiguration. For example the information might include one or more of:

an indication that the assignment is a mixed TTI TBF assignment;

indication of slot(s) carrying BTTI block(s) indication of slot(s)carrying RTTI block(s)

frequency

More details of a specific example of a downlink assignment message areprovided in Appendix A.

Uplink assignment is more complicated, and includes information thatspecifies the manner of performing uplink allocation. The informationmight include one or more of:

an indication that the assignment is a mixed TTI TBF assignment;

indication of slot(s) carrying BTTI block(s)

indication of slot(s) carrying RTTI block(s)

one or more parameters in respect of uplink allocation

frequency

where the fields are the same as for the downlink assignment except forthe inclusion of one or more parameters in respect of uplink allocation.This may for example indicate the type of uplink allocation to beperformed (detailed examples provided below), and/or include specificdetails for a particular uplink allocation approach, such as USFlocations. In some embodiments, the uplink allocation mechanism isdictated uniquely by the assignment such that it is not necessary tosignal this. More details of a specific example of an uplink assignmentmessage are provided in Appendix A.Downlink Allocation

For downlink allocation, after assignment, the network transmits usingsome or all of the assigned slots. Each UE will receive signals from thenetwork on the assigned downlink slots and determine whether there isany content addressed to itself, which infers that those particularslots were allocated to the UE. All, a subset, or none of the slotsassigned to a UE may be allocated to the UE in a given frame.

Uplink Allocation

In some embodiments, an allocation mechanism that is based on BTTI USFmode is employed. The conventional use of BTTI USF mode involvestransmission of a BTTI USF on a slot over four downlink frames asopposed to the conventional use of an RTTI USF mode which involvestransmission of an RTTI USF on two slots over two downlink frames.

A modified BTTI USF allocation mechanism is provided which involvesusing BTTI USFs to perform allocation in respect of MTTI TBFs. Variousspecific examples of how modified BTTI USF allocation can be performedare detailed below. In some embodiments, the actual format of themodified BTTI USF is identical to that of the conventional BTTI USF. Arespective USF is included in each of one or more slots over fourframes. However, the information conveyed by the BTTI USF is contextspecific, and will depend on whether it is in respect of the allocationof a conventional BTTI only uplink TBF, the allocation of conventionalRTTI only uplink TBF, or the allocation of a mixed TTI (MTTI) uplink TBFas defined herein. Note that conventional BTTI USF allocation differsfrom the above in that it is used to allocate either a BTTI TBF, an RTTITBF, or a pair of RTTI TBFs, but not a combination of both BTTI and RTTITBFs. When an MTTI uplink TBF exists and allocation is performed using aBTTI USF, this is considered a “modified” BTTI USF approach, since it isbeing used to signal something other than the conventional allocation(i.e. BTTI uplink TBF only or RTTI uplink TBF only).

1) Dynamic Allocation Approach

A first example of uplink allocation that can be employed is referred toas conventional dynamic allocation (DA). Conventional DA allows foruplink allocation of a BTTI block or an RTTI block, but not both.

Using conventional DA, to allocate an uplink BTTI block, in a downlinkslot, a BTTI USF (uplink status flag) in a downlink BTTI slot is used toallocate a BTTI block in the corresponding uplink slot. Withconventional DA, the corresponding uplink slot has the same number asthe downlink slot containing the USF. In some embodiments, a variant ofconventional DA may be employed in which the corresponding uplink slotcan be an uplink slot having an uplink slot number that is the same ordifferent from the downlink slot number of the slot containing the BTTIUSF. In this case, the downlink slot “corresponds” with the uplink slotin the sense that it has been designated to carry the USF for uplinkallocation.

Using conventional DA, to allocate an uplink RTTI block, a BTTI USF(uplink status flag) is transmitted in one or both of two downlink slotsthat correspond with a pair of uplink slots assigned to an uplink RTTIblock. The downlink slots “correspond” with the uplink slots in thesense that they have been designated to carry the USF for uplinkallocation. The two uplink slots being allocated may have differentuplink slot numbers than the downlink slot numbers of the slot(s)carrying the BTTI USF(s).

More specifically, the four allocations possible with conventional DAare:

a) USF on a downlink slot assigned to a downlink BTTI block sent overfour downlink frames: the UE will transmit a BTTI block on the slot ofthe corresponding uplink timeslot in four TDMA frames;

b) USF on the first slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames:the UE will transmit an RTTI block on both slots of the correspondinguplink timeslot-pair in the first two TDMA frames (i.e. TDMA frames oneand two of the following basic radio block period(s));

c) USF on the second slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames:the UE will transmit an RTTI block on both slots of the correspondinguplink timeslot-pair in the next two TDMA frames (i.e. TDMA frames threeand four of the following basic radio block period(s));

d) USF on the first and second slot of a pair of downlink slotscorresponding with an assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over fourdownlink frames: the UE will transmit a first RTTI block on both slotsof the corresponding uplink timeslot-pair on the first two TDMA framesin the next basic radio block period and a second RTTI block on bothslots of the corresponding uplink timeslot-pair on the next two TDMAframes (frames three and four) in the following basic radio blockperiod.

2) Modified Dynamic Allocation

With modified dynamic allocation, the DA approach described above ismodified to cover the allocation of an MTTI TBF. Specifically, thefollowing allocations are possible using modified dynamic allocation:

a) USF on the first slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames,and a USF on one or more downlink slots having corresponding assigneduplink BTTI block(s): the UE will transmit an RTTI block on both slotsof the corresponding uplink timeslot pair in the first two TDMA frames(i.e. TDMA frames one and two of the following basic radio blockperiod(s)) and a BTTI block on each uplink slot assigned in BTTI modefor which the corresponding downlink slot contained a USF, on all fourTDMA frames of the following basic radio block period(s) (i.e. the fourframes following the four frames containing the USF);

b) USF on the second slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink frames,and a USF on one or more downlink slots having corresponding assigneduplink BTTI block(s): the UE will transmit an RTTI block on both slotsof the corresponding uplink timeslot-pair in the next two TDMA frames(i.e. TDMA frames three and four of the following basic radio blockperiod(s)) and a BTTI block on each uplink slot assigned in BTTI modefor which the corresponding downlink slot contained a USF, on all fourTDMA frames of the following basic radio block period(s) (i.e. the fourframes following the four frames containing the USF);

c) USF on the first and second slots of a pair of downlink slotscorresponding with an assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over fourdownlink frames, and a USF on one or more downlink slots havingcorresponding assigned uplink BTTI block(s): the UE will transmit afirst RTTI block on both slots of the corresponding uplink timeslot-pairon the first two TDMA frames in the next basic radio block period and asecond RTTI block on both slots of the corresponding uplinktimeslot-pair on the next two TDMA frames (frames three and four) in thefollowing basic radio block period, and one BTTI block on each uplinkslot assigned in BTTI mode for which the corresponding downlink slotcontained a USF, on four TDMA frames of the following basic radio blockperiod (i.e. within the four frames following the four frames containingthe USF).

3) Extended Dynamic Allocation

With conventional extended dynamic allocation (EDA), the followingapplies for an uplink RTTI TBF that receives USFs in BTTI USF mode:

a) USF on the first slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink framesallocates resources in the first two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period(s) on the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and all assigned uplink slot-pairs with highernumbered timeslots than the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission in the first two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period;

b) USF on the second slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink framesallocates resources in the second two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period(s) on the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and all assigned uplink slot-pairs with highernumbered timeslots than the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission in the first two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period;

With conventional extended dynamic allocation, the following applies foran uplink BTTI TBF:

c) for a BTTI uplink TBF, a USF in a given downlink timeslot means thatthe uplink timeslot having the same number as the given downlinktimeslot and all assigned uplink slots with higher timeslot numbers thanthat slot are being allocated for BTTI block transmission.

4) Modified EDA

With modified extended dynamic allocation, the extended DA approachdescribed above is modified to cover the allocation of an MTTI TBF.Modified EDA can be used to perform allocation in respect of some uplinkassignments that include at least one RTTI block on an assigned pair ofslots and at least one BTTI block on an assigned slot. Specifically, thefollowing allocations are possible using modified dynamic allocation:

a) USF on the first slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink framesallocates resources in the first two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period(s) on the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and all assigned uplink slot-pairs with highernumbered timeslots than the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission, and allocates resources on all assigned uplink slotsfor BTTI block transmission with higher timeslot numbers than any slotof the corresponding uplink slot-pair;

b) USF on the second slot of a pair of downlink slots corresponding withan assigned uplink RTTI block, the USF sent over four downlink framesallocates resources in the second two TDMA frames of the following basicradio block period(s) on the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and all assigned uplink slot-pairs with highernumbered timeslots than the corresponding uplink slot-pair for RTTIblock transmission and allocates resources on all assigned uplink slotsfor BTTI block transmission with higher timeslot numbers than any slotof the corresponding uplink slot-pair.

Use of PACCH for Mixed TTI TBF Signalling

The references to slots in the above for data transmission refers toPDCH transmission (packet data channel). In conventional systems, theRTTI PACCH (packet associated control channel) is used to carrysignalling information about an RTTI TBF, using the same slots that wereassigned for the particular TBF. In some embodiments, signalling that isconsistent with the RTTI PACCH is used to carry signalling informationabout a mixed TTI TBF. This will be referred to as a modified RTTIPACCH. The format of the modified RTTI PACCH in some embodiments iscompletely identical to the existing RTTI PACCH. This can be done in theuplink direction, the downlink direction or both. In a particularexample, the modified RTTI PACCH includes an indication of which blocksfrom a set of RLC (radio link control) blocks were received correctly orincorrectly. This can be done irrespective of the type of the RLC blocks(BTTI vs. RTTI), so no change to the signalling is needed.

Assignment with an Odd Slot Allocated for Downlink Transmission

3+2 Assignment Example

Referring to FIG. 3, a first detailed example will be described. FIG. 3shows a mixed TTI TBF for the downlink that employs 3 downlink slots anda TBF for the uplink that employs 2 uplink slots. This assignment isappropriate for classes 10, 11, 12, 33 and higher except classes 35 or40 which only have one uplink timeslot maximum. In this example, and theothers that follow, time runs in the horizontal direction; the top row200 represents downlink slot assignments, and the bottom row 202represents uplink slot assignments. There is a repeating pattern of 8slots making up a frame. Four frames are shown at 240,242,244,246. Thenumbering of the slots is offset for the downlink vs. the uplink.Specifically, for the example illustrated, the uplink slot “0” occurs 3slots after the downlink slot “0”.

The specific assignment shown includes a downlink BTTI block 210 on slot1 over all four frames 240,242,244,246 and a downlink RTTI block 212,213on downlink slots 2 and 3 over the first two frames 240,242. There is anuplink RTTI block 214,215 on uplink slots 2 and 3 over the first twoframes 240,242. This results in a one slot gap between transmission andreception, consistent with the multi-slot capabilities of the classesunder consideration.

The specific assignment shown could also be shifted one slot to theleft, or one, two, three or four slots to the right without changing theprinciples described and without changing the multi-slot capabilityrequired. That is to say, more generally, a 3+2 (downlink+uplink)assignment is provided employing any three consecutive downlink slotscomprising a first, second and third downlink slot, and employing twouplink slots corresponding with the second and third consecutivedownlink slots such that there is a BTTI block in the first downlinkslot, an RTTI block in the second and third downlink slots, and an RTTIblock in the two uplink slots.

The particular set of permutations available for a given class islimited. For example, if the class requires a one slot gap betweentransmission and reception, then reversing the order of the BTTI block210 and the RTTI block 212,213 would not work. This would result in RTTIdownlink transmission on slots 1, 2, BTTI downlink transmission on slot3, followed by uplink transmission on slots 1 and 2, and there would beno gap between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

In a particular example of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 3,conventional dynamic allocation can be employed as detailed above.

With the described assignment, there is no slot that might have to carrydifferent TTI types (RTTI vs. BTTI) in the opposite directions.

3+3 Assignment—First Example

Referring to FIG. 4A, a second detailed example will be described. FIG.4A shows a mixed TTI TBF accommodating 3 downlink slots, and a mixed TTITBF accommodating 3 uplink slots. This assignment is appropriate for UEsof class 32, 33, 34, for example. The specific allocation shown includesa downlink RTTI block 220,222 on downlink slots 1 and 2 during the firsttwo frames 240,242 and a downlink BTTI block 224 on downlink slot 3 onfour frames 240,242,244,246. On the uplink, there is an uplink RTTIblock 226,230 on slots 2 and 4 allocated on the first two frames240,242, and a BTTI block 228 on slot 3 between slots 2 and 4 used forthe RTTI block 226,230. In this case, slot 1 on the uplink is notincluded in the assignment, as it would violate the multi-slotcapability of the user equipment.

The specific assignment shown could also be shifted one slot to theleft, or one, two or three slots to the right without changing theprinciples described and without changing the multi-slot capabilityrequired. That is to say a 3+3 (downlink+uplink) assignment is providedemploying a first three consecutive downlink slots out of any fourconsecutive downlink slots comprising a first, second, third and fourthdownlink slots, and employing three uplink slots corresponding with thesecond, third and fourth downlink slots such that there is an RTTI blockin the first and second downlink slots, a BTTI block in the thirddownlink slot, an RTTI block in uplink slots corresponding with thesecond and fourth downlink slots and a BTTI block in the uplink slotcorresponding with the third downlink slot.

The details of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 4A will beprovided below in the section detailing assignments with odd numbers ofuplink slots.

3+3 Assignment—Second Example

Referring to FIG. 4B, another detailed 3+3 example will be described.FIG. 4B shows an MTTI TBF accommodating 3 downlink slots and an MTTI TBFaccommodating 3 uplink slots. This assignment is appropriate for UEs ofclass 32, 33, 34, for example. The specific allocation shown includes adownlink BTTI block 223 on downlink slot 1 during the first four frames240,242,244,246, and downlink RTTI block 225,221 on downlink slots 2 and3 during the first two frames 240,242. On the uplink, there is an uplinkRTTI block 227,231 on slots 2 and 3 on the first two frames 240,242, anda BTTI block 229 on slot 4 during frames 240,242,244,246.

The specific assignment shown could also be shifted one slot to theleft, or one, two or three slots to the right without changing theprinciples described and without changing the multi-slot capabilityrequired. That is to say, 3+3 (downlink+uplink) MTTI assignments areprovided employing a first three consecutive downlink slots out of anyfour consecutive downlink slots comprising first, second, third andfourth downlink slots, and employing three uplink slots correspondingwith the second, third and fourth downlink slots such that there is aBTTI block in the first downlink slot, an RTTI block in the second andthird downlink slots, an RTTI block in the uplink slots correspondingwith the second and third downlink slots, and a BTTI block in the uplinkslot corresponding with the fourth downlink slot.

The details of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 4B will beprovided below in the section detailing assignments with odd numbers ofuplink slots.

3+4 Assignment Example

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third detailed example of mixed mode TTFassignment will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of an MTTI TBF for3 slots on the downlink, and a four slot RTTI uplink assignment (classes43-45). The downlink assignment of FIG. 5 is basically the same as thatof FIG. 3. Specifically, for the downlink, the allocation includes BTTIblock 252 in slot 0 over four frames 240,242,244,246, and RTTI block254, 256 in slots 1 and 2 over two frames 240,242. For the uplink, thereis a first RTTI block 258,260 in slots 1 and 2, and a second RTTI block262,264 in slots 3 and 4.

The example of FIG. 5 can be shifted to the right by one, two or threeslots. That is to say a 3+4 (downlink+uplink) assignment is providedemploying a first three consecutive downlink slots out of any fiveconsecutive downlink slots comprising first, second, third, fourth andfifth downlink slots, and employing four uplink slots corresponding withthe second, third, fourth and fifth downlink slots such that there is aBTTI block in the first downlink slot, an RTTI block in the second andthird downlink slots, an RTTI block in uplink slots corresponding withthe second and third downlink slots and an RTTI block in uplink slotscorresponding with the fourth and fifth downlink slots.

In a particular example of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 5,the same approach may be used as is used for conventional 2+4allocation, for example, by using the above described EDA approach.

5+2 Assignment Example

Referring now to FIG. 6, a fourth detailed example of mixed mode TBFassignment will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of a mixed modeTTI TBF using 5 downlink slots, and an uplink TBF that uses two slots(appropriate for classes 41-45 for example). For the example of FIG. 6,the downlink allocation provides a BTTI block 280 in slot 0 over frames240,242,244,246, an RTTI block 282,284 in slots 1 and 2 over frames240,242 and an RTTI block 286,288 in slots 3 and 4 over frames 240,242.For the uplink, there is an RTTI block 290,292 in slots 3 and 4 overframes 240,242.

The example of FIG. 6 can be shifted to the right by one, two or threeslots. That is to say a 5+2 (downlink+uplink) mixed TTI TBF is providedemploying any five consecutive downlink slots comprising a first,second, third, fourth and fifth downlink slots, and employing two uplinkslots corresponding with the fourth and fifth downlink slots such thatthere is a BTTI block in the first downlink slot, an RTTI block in thesecond and third downlink slots, an RTTI block in the fourth and fifthdownlink slots, and an RTTI block in uplink slots corresponding with thefourth and fifth downlink slots.

In a particular example of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 6,uplink allocation can be achieved using conventional dynamic allocationas described above.

Allocations with an Odd Slot Allocated for Uplink Transmission

2+3 Assignment Example

Referring now to FIG. 7, a fifth detailed example will be presented.FIG. 7 shows a downlink RTTI TBF with 2 downlink slots and an uplinkmixed mode TBF employing 3 uplink slots. This allocation is appropriatefor classes 11, 12, 33 and up except for classes 30, 31, 40, and 41which have a transmit capability of maximum 2 timeslots. The specificallocation shown includes a downlink RTTI block 300,302 on downlinkslots 1 and 2 during frames 240,242. On the uplink, there is an uplinkRTTI block 304,306 allocated on uplink slots 1 and 2 during frames240,242 and a BTTI block 308 allocated on slot 3 during frames240,242,244,246. In this case slot-pair 1 and 2 carries RTTI blocks inboth the uplink and downlink directions, while slot 3 carries a BTTIblock in the uplink direction only. If an uplink RTTI block (304,306) isalso allocated in frames 244 and 246, then 3 blocks are transmittedwithin a 20 ms basic radio block period in the uplink direction using amixed TTI TBF.

The assignment of FIG. 7 can be moved to the left by one slot, or to theright by one, two, three or four slots. That is to say a 2+3(downlink+uplink) assignment is provided employing a first twoconsecutive downlink slots out of any three consecutive downlink slotscomprising first, second, third downlink slots, and employing threeuplink slots corresponding with the first, second and third downlinkslots such that there is a RTTI block in the first and second downlinkslots, an RTTI block in the uplink slots corresponding with the firstand second downlink slots, and a BTTI block in the uplink slotcorresponding with the third downlink slot.

In a particular example of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 7,the above-described modified extended dynamic allocation approach foruplink allocation can be used to allocate both the RTTI and BTTI blocksin the uplink direction. For the specific example shown, it is assumedthat downlink slots 1 and 2 are the downlink slots that have beendefined to correspond with uplink slots 1 and 2. Thus, a USF in thedownlink RTTI block 300,302 in one or both of slots 1 and 2 can be usedto allocate the RTTI block 304,306 in uplink slots 1 and 2 during thefirst two frames, the next two frames, or all four frames and toallocate downlink slot 3 assigned to BTTI block 308 over the next fourframes.

3+3 Assignment Example—First Example

Returning to the example of FIG. 4A, this was an example with an oddnumber of slots allocated for the uplink. Recall that in the aboveexample downlink slot-pair 1 and 2 carry RTTI block 220,222 and downlinkslot 3 carries BTTI block 224 in the downlink direction. Uplinkslot-pair 2 and 4 is assigned for RTTI block 226,230, and slot 3 isassigned for BTTI block 228.

In a first example of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 4A, theabove-described modified dynamic allocation approach can be used foruplink allocation when the entire TBF is to be allocated. For thespecific example shown, it is assumed that downlink slots 1 and 2 arethe downlink slots that are defined to correspond with uplink slots 2and 4 for the purpose of BTTI USF transmission for the RTTI blockassignment. Thus, a USF in the downlink RTTI block 220,222 in one orboth of slots 1 and 2 can be used to allocate the RTTI block 226,230 inuplink slots 2 and 4 during the first two frames, the next two frames,or all four frames. Downlink slot 3 assigned to BTTI mode is the sameslot number as uplink slot 3 assigned to BTTI mode. A USF in downlinkslot 3 allocates uplink slot 3 for BTTI block 228 in the next fourframes. For the full allocation, a USF is needed in slots 1 and/or 2,and slot 3. When only the BTTI block 228 is being allocated, a USF flagin downlink slot 3 allocates the uplink BTTI block 228 in slot 3.

In a second example of uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 4A, theabove-described modified extended dynamic allocation approach can beused for uplink allocation when the entire TBF is to be allocated. Forthe specific example shown, it is assumed that downlink slots 1 and 2are defined to be the downlink slots that correspond with uplink slots 2and 4 for the purpose of BTTI USF transmission for the RTTI blockassignment. Thus, a USF in the downlink RTTI block 220,222 in slot 1,slot 2, or both slots 1 and 2 can be used to allocate the RTTI block226,230 in uplink slots 2 and 4 during the first two frames, the nexttwo frames, or all four frames respectively and to allocate any uplinkslot assigned in BTTI mode having a higher number than either of slots 2and 4, namely uplink slot 3 in this example, over the next four frames.

3+3 Assignment Example—Second Example

Returning to the example of FIG. 4B, this was an example with an oddnumber of slots allocated for the uplink, in which the odd slot used fora BTTI block was not between two slots for an RTTI block. For uplinkallocation for this case, the above-described modified EDA approach canbe used to allocate all of the uplink slots. For the specific exampleshown, it is assumed that downlink slots 2 and 3 are the downlink slotsthat have been defined to correspond with uplink slots 2 and 3. Thus, aUSF in the downlink RTTI block 225,221 in one or both of slots 1 and 2can be used to allocate the RTTI block 227,231 in uplink slots 2 and 3during the first two frames, the next two frames, or all four frames andto allocate downlink slot 4 assigned to BTTI block 229 over the nextfour frames.

4+3 Assignment Example

Referring now to FIG. 8, another detailed example will be presented.FIG. 8 shows an RTTI TBF employing 4 slots for the downlink and a mixedTTI TBF employing 3 uplink slots. This assignment is appropriate forclasses 41 to 45 for example. The specific allocation shown includes adownlink RTTI block 310,312 on downlink slots 0 and 1 during frames240,242 and a downlink RTTI block 314,316 on downlink slots 2 and 3during frames 240,242. On the uplink, there is an uplink RTTI block318,320 on uplink slots 2 and 3 during frames 240,242 and an uplink BTTIblock 322 on slot 4 during frames 240,242,244,246.

The assignment of FIG. 8 can be moved to the right by one, two or threeslots. That is to say a 4+3 (downlink+uplink) assignment is providedemploying a first four consecutive downlink slots out of any fiveconsecutive downlink slots comprising first, second, third, fourth andfifth downlink slots, and employing three uplink slots correspondingwith the third, fourth and fifth downlink slots such that there is anRTTI block in the first and second downlink slots, an RTTI block in thethird and fourth downlink slots, an RTTI block in the uplink slotscorresponding with the third and fourth downlink slots, and a BTTI blockin the uplink slot corresponding with the fifth downlink slot.

The uplink allocation for FIG. 8 can be done in the same manner asdescribed for FIG. 7.

2+5 Allocation Example

Referring now to FIG. 9, another detailed example will be presented.FIG. 9 shows a downlink RTTI TBF employing 2 downlink slots and anuplink mixed TTI TBF employing 5 uplink slots. This assignment isappropriate for classes 41 to 45 for example. The specific assignmentshown includes a downlink RTTI block 330,332 on downlink slots 0 and 1during frames 240,242. On the uplink, there is an uplink RTTI block334,336 on uplink slots 0 and 1 during frames 240,242 and an uplink RTTIblock 338,340 on uplink slots 2 and 3 during frames 240,242; there isalso an uplink BTTI block 342 on slot 4 during frames 240,242,244,246.

The assignment of FIG. 9 can be moved to the right by one, two or threeslots. That is to say a 2+5 (downlink+uplink) assignment is providedemploying a first two consecutive downlink slots out of any fiveconsecutive downlink slots comprising first, second, third, fourth andfifth downlink slots, and employing five uplink slots corresponding withthe first, second, third, fourth and fifth downlink slots such thatthere is an RTTI block in the first and second downlink slots, an RTTIblock in the uplink slots corresponding with the first and seconddownlink slots, an RTTI block in the uplink slots corresponding with thethird and fourth downlink slots, and a BTTI block in the uplink slotcorresponding with the fifth downlink slot.

The uplink allocation for the example of FIG. 9 can be performed usingthe above-described modified EDA approach. For the specific exampleshown, it is assumed that downlink slots 0 and 1 are defined to be thedownlink slots that correspond with uplink slots 0 and 1 for the purposeof BTTI USF transmission for the RTTI block assignment. Thus, a USF inthe downlink RTTI block 330,332 in slot 0, slot 1, or both slots 0 and 1can be used to allocate the RTTI block 330,332 in slots 0 and 1 and anyassigned RTTI block in higher numbered slots namely RTTI block 338,340in slots 2 and 3 during the first two frames, the next two frames, orall four frames respectively and to allocate any uplink slot assigned inBTTI mode having a higher number than either of slots 0 and 1, namelyuplink slot 4 in this example, over the next four frames.

Flexible Timeslot Assignment and Mixed TTI TBF

Flexible Timeslot Assignment (FTA) brings more flexibility toassignments, however allocations are limited by the multi-slotcapabilities of the UE. With Flexible Timeslot Assignment the networkmay assign a number of uplink and downlink timeslots that exceeds thetotal number of uplink and downlink timeslots that can actually be usedby the MS per TDMA frame. In this case, the network shall ensure that,in each radio block period, the total number of uplink and downlinktimeslots that have been allocated to the MS does not exceed the totalnumber of uplink and downlink timeslots that can actually be used by theMS per TDMA frame. This technique provides for some flexibility as tohow to allocate the assigned resources. The mixed TTI TBF assignment hasadvantages when using Flexible Timeslot Assignment which extend beyondthe ability to allocate the odd slot that cannot find a pair for RTTImode of operation.

One basic radio block period (20 ms) is needed to switch between thedifferent TTI allocations. This will be described by way of example withreference to FIG. 10. In this case it is assumed that the network hasindicated a mixed TTI TBF downlink assignment in which slots 1 and 2 areassigned to carry RTTI block 350,352 in the downlink and slots 3,4 and 5are assigned to carry BTTI blocks 354,356,358 in the downlink. Thenetwork also indicates a mixed TTI TBF uplink assignment in which slots1 and 2 are assigned to carry RTTI blocks 360,362 in the uplink, andslots 3 and 4 are assigned to carry BTTI blocks 364 and 366 in theuplink. As with the existing Flexible Timeslot Assignment application(where only one TTI mode is assigned per TBF), the allocation can onlybe made according to a given UE's multi-slot capability.

Having defined the above assignment, various different allocations canbe made that are consistent with a given user equipment's multi-slotcapability. FIGS. 11 and 12 are two examples of instantaneous RTTI andBTTI allocations that are consistent with the assignment shown in FIG.10. In FIG. 11, the RTTI blocks 350,352 and 360,362 are allocated forthe downlink and uplink respectively in timeslots 1 and 2. In theexample of FIG. 12, BTTI blocks 354,356 and 364,366 are allocated intimeslots 3 and 4 for the downlink and the uplink respectively. Otherinstantaneous BTTI allocations (example 3+1) are possible for thisassignment (limited by the multi-slot capability constraints).

Further Enhancements

In some embodiments, the RLC/MAC uplink/downlink assignment messages areenhanced to allocate a mixed mode TBF. In some embodiments, thisindicates the slot(s) which carry the BTTI blocks in addition to theslots that form RTTI pairs. In some embodiments, these signalingmessages are modified: Packet Downlink Assignment message, Packet UplinkAssignment message, and Packet Timeslot Reconfigure message.

In some embodiments, the transmission/reception of the RLC (radio linkcontrol) blocks as BTTI blocks or RTTI blocks follow the followingmethod detailed below with reference to FIG. 13. This method can beperformed by the UE in a transmission and/or reception role, and can beperformed by the network in a transmission and/or reception role. Thisparticular method ensures in order delivery of RLC blocks, especiallyfor RLC unacknowledged mode of operation. An input to the method is theobjective to transmitting/receiving two RLC blocks with BSNs i, j wherei<j, using a slot-pair slota and slotb carrying an RTTI block and BTTIslot slotc assigned in a mixed TTI mode TBF.

If slota and slotb are allocated in the first two TDMA frames (first 10ms) of a basic 20 ms time unit block (yes path block 13-1), then the RLCblock with BSN i is transmitted/received as a RTTI block on slot-pairslota and slotb at block 13-2 and the RLC block with BSN j istransmitted/received in BTTI mode on slotc at block 13-3.

If slota and slotb are allocated in the last two TDMA frames (next 10ms) of a basic 20 ms time unit block (no path, block 13-1), then thefollowing rule applies:

If both slota and slotb are <slotc (yes path block 13-4) then the RLCblock with BSN i is transmitted/received as an RTTI block on slot-pairslota and slotb at block 13-5 and the RLC block with BSN j istransmitted/received in BTTI mode on slotc at block 13-6;

Else (no path, block 13-4), the RLC block with BSN i istransmitted/received in BTTI mode on slotc at block 13-7 and the RLCblock with BSN j is transmitted/received as an RTTI block on slot-pairslota and slotb at block 13-8.

In some embodiments, the mixed TTI TBF concept described above can alsobe applied to a (Dual downlink Carrier) DLDC configuration.

All of the detailed examples have involved the definition and use ofmixed TTI TBFs that combine at least one RTTI block and at least oneBTTI block. More generally, mixed-type combinations of slots aredefined. A mixed TTI TBF is a specific example of a mixed-typecombination of slots. More generally, a mixed-type combination of slotshas slots of at least two different types. BTTI mode slots and RTTI modeslots are examples of two different types of slots, but others areenvisaged. Such a mixed-type combination of slots can be assigned forthe uplink or the downlink.

Communication in accordance with an allocation refers to reception ortransmission as may be appropriate depending on whether the actor is thenetwork or the UE, and depending on whether it is uplink or downlinkcommunication.

Referring now to FIG. 20, shown is a flowchart of a method for executionby network access equipment. The method begins at block 20-1 withdefining a first mixed-type combination of slots. The method continuesat block 20-2 with transmitting a single assignment message that assignsthe first mixed-type combination of slots to a single flow. Note thatthis does not rule out the assignment message that assigns the firstmixed-type combination of slots to a single flow from assigning otherslots to other flows; this does not rule out other assignment messagesmaking other assignments. In the detailed examples, a flow is a TBF, anda given TBF is typically associated with a particular application and/orPDP context. More generally, a flow is some amount of data thattypically belongs to one application and is burstwise in nature. A flowmay, for example, be established to transmit the queued up data and thenbe released when the queue is empty.

The method may continue with the network communicating based on theassignment in block 20-3. This may involve transmitting using theassignment if it is a downlink assignment, or transmitting an uplinkallocation in respect of the assignment if it is an uplink assignment,and then receiving in accordance with the allocation.

In some embodiments, block 20-1 is not executed, the mixed-typecombination of slots constituting an input to the method.

Referring now to FIG. 21, shown is a flowchart of a method for executionby a UE. The method begins with the user equipment receiving a singleassignment message that assigns to a single flow a first mixed-typecombination of slots, in block 21-1. This may include an uplinkassignment, a downlink assignment, or both, depending on a givenimplementation. The method continues with the UE communicating based onthe received assignment in block 21-2. This may involve receiving usingthe assignment if it is a downlink assignment, or receiving an uplinkallocation in respect of the assignment if it is an uplink assignment,and then transmitting in accordance with the allocation.

In order to carry out the above process, the UE 10 comprises a processorcapable of performing the above process. For simplicity, the differentfunctions have been broken out into different modules. These modules maybe implemented separately or together. Further, these modules may beimplemented in hardware, software, or some combination. Finally, thesemodules may reside in different portions of the UE. As illustrated inFIG. 18, the UE processor comprises a receive module 801, adetermination module 803, and a transmission module 807. The receivemodule 801 receives a message indicating an assignment of a mixed TTITBF to use. It may also allocate information for uplink allocation. Thedetermination module 803 decodes the message to determine the mixed TTITBF. The receive module 801 and the transmission module 807 receiveand/or transmit in accordance with an allocation of the mixed TTI TBFassignment.

Referring now to FIG. 19, the network access equipment 20 also comprisesa processor. The processor comprises a receive module 901, a selectionmodule 903 and a transmission module 905. Again, these modules aredefined for simplicity, and may be executed in software, hardware,firmware, or both. Additionally, these modules may reside in the same ordifferent portions of the network access equipment. The selection module903 is configured to assign a mixed TTI TBF assignment for a UE and toinstruct the transmission module 905 to signal the mixed TTI TBFassignment to the UE. The receive module 901 and transmission module 905are configured to receive and/or transmit using an allocation of themixed TTI TBF assignment. This approach is taken for each of multipleUEs being serviced by the particular network access equipment 20.

FIG. 14 illustrates a wireless communications system including anembodiment of the UE 10. The UE 10 is operable for implementing aspectsof the disclosure, but the disclosure should not be limited to theseimplementations. Though illustrated as a mobile phone, the UE 10 maytake various forms including a wireless handset, a pager, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a tablet computer, or alaptop computer. Many suitable devices combine some or all of thesefunctions. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the UE 10 is not ageneral purpose computing device like a portable, laptop or tabletcomputer, but rather is a special-purpose communications device such asa mobile phone, a wireless handset, a pager, a PDA, or atelecommunications device installed in a vehicle. In another embodiment,the UE 10 may be a portable, laptop or other computing device. The UE 10may support specialized activities such as gaming, inventory control,job control, and/or task management functions, and so on.

The UE 10 includes a display 402. The UE 10 also includes atouch-sensitive surface, a keyboard or other input keys generallyreferred as 404 for input by a user. The keyboard may be a full orreduced alphanumeric keyboard such as QWERTY, Dvorak, AZERTY, andsequential types, or a traditional numeric keypad with alphabet lettersassociated with a telephone keypad. The input keys may include a trackwheel, an exit or escape key, a trackball, and other navigational orfunctional keys, which may be inwardly depressed to provide furtherinput function. The UE 10 may present options for the user to select,controls for the user to actuate, and/or cursors or other indicators forthe user to direct.

The UE 10 may further accept data entry from the user, including numbersto dial or various parameter values for configuring the operation of theUE 10. The UE 10 may further execute one or more software or firmwareapplications in response to user commands. These applications mayconfigure the UE 10 to perform various customized functions in responseto user interaction. Additionally, the UE 10 may be programmed and/orconfigured over-the-air, for example from a wireless base station, awireless access point, or a peer UE 10.

Among the various applications executable by the UE 10 are a webbrowser, which enables the display 402 to show a web page. The web pagemay be obtained via wireless communications with a wireless networkaccess node, a cell tower, a peer UE 10, or any other wirelesscommunication network or system 400. The network 400 is coupled to awired network 408, such as the Internet. Via the wireless link and thewired network, the UE 10 has access to information on various servers,such as a server 410. The server 410 may provide content that may beshown on the display 402. Alternately, the UE 10 may access the network400 through a peer UE 10 acting as an intermediary, in a relay type orhop type of connection.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of the UE 10. While a variety of knowncomponents of UEs 10 are depicted, in an embodiment a subset of thelisted components and/or additional components not listed may beincluded in the UE 10. The UE 10 includes a digital signal processor(DSP) 502 and a memory 504. As shown, the UE 10 may further include anantenna and front end unit 506, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 508,an analog baseband processing unit 510, a microphone 512, an earpiecespeaker 514, a headset port 516, an input/output interface 518, aremovable memory card 520, a universal serial bus (USB) port 522, ashort range wireless communication sub-system 524, an alert 526, akeypad 528, a liquid crystal display (LCD), which may include a touchsensitive surface 530, an LCD controller 532, a charge-coupled device(CCD) camera 534, a camera controller 536, and a global positioningsystem (GPS) sensor 538. In an embodiment, the UE 10 may include anotherkind of display that does not provide a touch sensitive screen. In anembodiment, the DSP 502 may communicate directly with the memory 504without passing through the input/output interface 518.

The DSP 502 or some other form of controller or central processing unitoperates to control the various components of the UE 10 in accordancewith embedded software or firmware stored in memory 504 or stored inmemory contained within the DSP 502 itself. In addition to the embeddedsoftware or firmware, the DSP 502 may execute other applications storedin the memory 504 or made available via information carrier media suchas portable data storage media like the removable memory card 520 or viawired or wireless network communications. The application software maycomprise a compiled set of machine-readable instructions that configurethe DSP 502 to provide the desired functionality, or the applicationsoftware may be high-level software instructions to be processed by aninterpreter or compiler to indirectly configure the DSP 502.

The antenna and front end unit 506 may be provided to convert betweenwireless signals and electrical signals, enabling the UE 10 to send andreceive information from a cellular network or some other availablewireless communications network or from a peer UE 10. In an embodiment,the antenna and front end unit 506 may include multiple antennas tosupport beam forming and/or multiple input multiple output (MIMO)operations. As is known to those skilled in the art, MIMO operations mayprovide spatial diversity which can be used to overcome difficultchannel conditions and/or increase channel throughput. The antenna andfront end unit 506 may include antenna tuning and/or impedance matchingcomponents, RF power amplifiers, and/or low noise amplifiers.

The RF transceiver 508 provides frequency shifting, converting receivedRF signals to baseband and converting baseband transmit signals to RF.In some descriptions a radio transceiver or RF transceiver may beunderstood to include other signal processing functionality such asmodulation/demodulation, coding/decoding, interleaving/deinterleaving,spreading/despreading, inverse fast Fourier transforming (IFFT)/fastFourier transforming (FFT), cyclic prefix appending/removal, and othersignal processing functions. For the purposes of clarity, thedescription here separates the description of this signal processingfrom the RF and/or radio stage and conceptually allocates that signalprocessing to the analog baseband processing unit 510 and/or the DSP 502or other central processing unit. In some embodiments, the RFTransceiver 508, portions of the Antenna and Front End 506, and theanalog baseband processing unit 510 may be combined in one or moreprocessing units and/or application specific integrated circuits(ASICs).

The analog baseband processing unit 510 may provide various analogprocessing of inputs and outputs, for example analog processing ofinputs from the microphone 512 and the headset 516 and outputs to theearpiece 514 and the headset 516. To that end, the analog basebandprocessing unit 510 may have ports for connecting to the built-inmicrophone 512 and the earpiece speaker 514 that enable the UE 10 to beused as a cell phone. The analog baseband processing unit 510 mayfurther include a port for connecting to a headset or other hands-freemicrophone and speaker configuration. The analog baseband processingunit 510 may provide digital-to-analog conversion in one signaldirection and analog-to-digital conversion in the opposing signaldirection. In some embodiments, at least some of the functionality ofthe analog baseband processing unit 510 may be provided by digitalprocessing components, for example by the DSP 502 or by other centralprocessing units.

The DSP 502 may perform modulation/demodulation, coding/decoding,interleaving/deinterleaving, spreading/despreading, inverse fast Fouriertransforming (IFFT)/fast Fourier transforming (FFT), cyclic prefixappending/removal, and other signal processing functions associated withwireless communications. In an embodiment, for example in a codedivision multiple access (CDMA) technology application, for atransmitter function the DSP 502 may perform modulation, coding,interleaving, and spreading, and for a receiver function the DSP 502 mayperform despreading, deinterleaving, decoding, and demodulation. Inanother embodiment, for example in an orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplex access (OFDMA) technology application, for the transmitterfunction the DSP 502 may perform modulation, coding, interleaving,inverse fast Fourier transforming, and cyclic prefix appending, and fora receiver function the DSP 502 may perform cyclic prefix removal, fastFourier transforming, deinterleaving, decoding, and demodulation. Inother wireless technology applications, yet other signal processingfunctions and combinations of signal processing functions may beperformed by the DSP 502.

The DSP 502 may communicate with a wireless network via the analogbaseband processing unit 510. In some embodiments, the communication mayprovide Internet connectivity, enabling a user to gain access to contenton the Internet and to send and receive e-mail or text messages. Theinput/output interface 518 interconnects the DSP 502 and variousmemories and interfaces. The memory 504 and the removable memory card520 may provide software and data to configure the operation of the DSP502. Among the interfaces may be the USB interface 522 and the shortrange wireless communication sub-system 524. The USB interface 522 maybe used to charge the UE 10 and may also enable the UE 10 to function asa peripheral device to exchange information with a personal computer orother computer system. The short range wireless communication sub-system524 may include an infrared port, a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE 802.11compliant wireless interface, or any other short range wirelesscommunication sub-system, which may enable the UE 10 to communicatewirelessly with other nearby mobile devices and/or wireless basestations.

The input/output interface 518 may further connect the DSP 502 to thealert 526 that, when triggered, causes the UE 10 to provide a notice tothe user, for example, by ringing, playing a melody, or vibrating. Thealert 526 may serve as a mechanism for alerting the user to any ofvarious events such as an incoming call, a new text message, and anappointment reminder by silently vibrating, or by playing a specificpre-assigned melody for a particular caller.

The keypad 528 couples to the DSP 502 via the interface 518 to provideone mechanism for the user to make selections, enter information, andotherwise provide input to the UE 10. The keyboard 528 may be a full orreduced alphanumeric keyboard such as QWERTY, Dvorak, AZERTY andsequential types, or a traditional numeric keypad with alphabet lettersassociated with a telephone keypad. The input keys may include a trackwheel, an exit or escape key, a trackball, and other navigational orfunctional keys, which may be inwardly depressed to provide furtherinput function. Another input mechanism may be the LCD 530, which mayinclude touch screen capability and also display text and/or graphics tothe user. The LCD controller 532 couples the DSP 502 to the LCD 530.

The CCD camera 534, if equipped, enables the UE 10 to take digitalpictures. The DSP 502 communicates with the CCD camera 534 via thecamera controller 536. In another embodiment, a camera operatingaccording to a technology other than Charge Coupled Device cameras maybe employed. The GPS sensor 538 is coupled to the DSP 502 to decodeglobal positioning system signals, thereby enabling the UE 10 todetermine its position. Various other peripherals may also be includedto provide additional functions, e.g., radio and television reception.

FIG. 16 illustrates a software environment 602 that may be implementedby the DSP 502. The DSP 502 executes operating system drivers 604 thatprovide a platform from which the rest of the software operates. Theoperating system drivers 604 provide drivers for the wireless devicehardware with standardized interfaces that are accessible to applicationsoftware. The operating system drivers 604 include applicationmanagement services (“AMS”) 606 that transfer control betweenapplications running on the UE 10. Also shown in FIG. 6 are a webbrowser application 608, a media player application 610, and Javaapplets 612. The web browser application 608 configures the UE 10 tooperate as a web browser, allowing a user to enter information intoforms and select links to retrieve and view web pages. The media playerapplication 610 configures the UE 10 to retrieve and play audio oraudiovisual media. The Java applets 612 configure the UE 10 to providegames, utilities, and other functionality. A component 614 might providefunctionality related to the present disclosure.

The UEs 10, ENBs 20, and central control 110 of FIG. 1 and othercomponents that might be associated with the cells 102 may include anygeneral-purpose computer with sufficient processing power, memoryresources, and network throughput capability to handle the necessaryworkload placed upon it. FIG. 17 illustrates a typical, general-purposecomputer system 700 that may be suitable for implementing one or moreembodiments disclosed herein. The computer system 700 includes aprocessor 720 (which may be referred to as a central processor unit orCPU) that is in communication with memory devices including secondarystorage 750, read only memory (ROM) 740, random access memory (RAM) 730,input/output (I/O) devices 700, and network connectivity devices 760.The processor may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

The secondary storage 750 is typically comprised of one or more diskdrives or tape drives and is used for non-volatile storage of data andas an over-flow data storage device if RAM 730 is not large enough tohold all working data. Secondary storage 750 may be used to storeprograms which are loaded into RAM 730 when such programs are selectedfor execution. The ROM 740 is used to store instructions and perhapsdata which are read during program execution. ROM 740 is a non-volatilememory device which typically has a small memory capacity relative tothe larger memory capacity of secondary storage. The RAM 730 is used tostore volatile data and perhaps to store instructions. Access to bothROM 740 and RAM 730 is typically faster than to secondary storage 750.

I/O devices 700 may include printers, video monitors, liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches,dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tapereaders, or other well-known input devices.

The network connectivity devices 760 may take the form of modems, modembanks, ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards,serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data interface(FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards, radiotransceiver cards such as code division multiple access (CDMA) and/orglobal system for mobile communications (GSM) radio transceiver cards,and other well-known network devices. These network connectivity devices760 may enable the processor 720 to communicate with an Internet or oneor more intranets. With such a network connection, it is contemplatedthat the processor 720 might receive information from the network, ormight output information to the network in the course of performing theabove-described method steps. Such information, which is oftenrepresented as a sequence of instructions to be executed using processor720, may be received from and outputted to the network, for example, inthe form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave.

Such information, which may include data or instructions to be executedusing processor 720 for example, may be received from and outputted tothe network, for example, in the form of a computer data baseband signalor signal embodied in a carrier wave. The baseband signal or signalembodied in the carrier wave generated by the network connectivitydevices 760 may propagate in or on the surface of electrical conductors,in coaxial cables, in waveguides, in optical media, for example opticalfiber, or in the air or free space. The information contained in thebaseband signal or signal embedded in the carrier wave may be orderedaccording to different sequences, as may be desirable for eitherprocessing or generating the information or transmitting or receivingthe information. The baseband signal or signal embedded in the carrierwave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter developed,referred to herein as the transmission medium, may be generatedaccording to several methods well known to one skilled in the art.

The processor 720 executes instructions, codes, computer programs,scripts which it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk(these various disk-based systems may all be considered secondarystorage 750), ROM 740, RAM 730, or the network connectivity devices 760.While only one processor 720 is shown, multiple processors may bepresent. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as executed by aprocessor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, orotherwise executed by one or multiple processors.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component, whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosuremay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

We claim:
 1. A method in network access equipment comprising:transmitting a single assignment message that assigns a single temporaryblock flow, TBF, comprising a first mixed transmit time interval, TTI,combination of slots for time division multiple access, TDMA,communication unidirectionally in one of an uplink and a downlink;wherein the first mixed TTI combination of slots in the single TBF isequal to an odd number of slots greater than or equal to three andcomprises at least one pair of slots for reduced transmit time interval,RTTI, blocks and no more than one slot for basic transmit time interval,BTTI, blocks.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicatingbased on the single assignment message.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein communicating based on the assignment message comprisestransmitting data blocks on the at least one pair of slots for RTTIblocks and the slot for BTTI blocks.
 4. The method of claim 2, whereincommunicating based on the assignment message comprises receiving datablocks on the at least one pair of slots for RTTI blocks and the slotfor BTTI blocks.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein an RTTI blockconsists of a first pair of slots in a first TDMA frame and a secondpair of slots in a second TDMA frame; and wherein a BTTI block consistsof a slot in the first TDMA frame, a slot in the second TDMA frame, aslot in a third TDMA frame, and a slot in a fourth TDMA frame.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the single assignment message contains atleast: an indication that the assignment is a mixed TTI TBF assignment;indication of slot(s) carrying BTTI block(s); and indication of slot(s)carrying RTTI block(s).
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the singleassignment message comprises a packet uplink assignment message, apacket downlink assignment message, or a packet timeslot reconfiguremessage.
 8. A method in user equipment, UE, comprising: receiving asingle assignment message that assigns a single temporary block flow,TBF, comprising a first mixed transmit time interval, TTI, combinationof slots for time division multiple access, TDMA, communicationunidirectionally in one of an uplink and a downlink; wherein the firstmixed TTI combination of slots in the single TBF is equal to an oddnumber of slots greater than or equal to three and comprises at leastone pair of slots for reduced transmit time interval, RTTI, blocks andno more than one slot for basic transmit time interval, BTTI, blocks. 9.The method of claim 8 further comprising communicating based on thesingle assignment message.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereincommunicating based on the assignment message comprises receiving datablocks on the at least one pair of slots for RTTI blocks and the slotfor BTTI blocks.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein communicating basedon the assignment message comprises transmitting data blocks on the atleast one pair of slots for RTTI blocks and the slot for BTTI blocks.12. The method of claim 9, wherein an RTTI block consists of a firstpair of slots in a first TDMA frame and a second pair of slots in asecond TDMA frame; and wherein a BTTI block consists of a slot in thefirst TDMA frame, a slot in the second TDMA frame, a slot in a thirdTDMA frame, and a slot in a fourth TDMA frame.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the single message contains at least: an indication that theassignment is a mixed TTI TBF assignment; indication of slot(s) carryingBTTI block(s); and indication of slot(s) carrying RTTI block(s).
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the single assignment message comprises apacket uplink assignment message, a packet downlink assignment message,or a packet timeslot reconfigure message.
 15. A user equipmentcomprising: a receive module configured to receive a single assignmentmessage that assigns a single temporary block flow, TBF, comprising afirst mixed transmit time interval, TTI, combination of slots for timedivision multiple access, TDMA, communication unidirectionally in one ofan uplink and a downlink, the first mixed TTI combination of slots inthe single TBF being equal to an odd number of slots greater than orequal to three and comprising at least one pair of slots for reducedtransmit time interval, RTTI, blocks and no more than one slot for basictransmit time interval, BTTI, blocks.
 16. The user equipment of claim15, wherein the receive module is configured to receive data blocks onthe at least one pair of slots for RTTI blocks and the slot for BTTIblocks.
 17. The user equipment of claim 16, further comprising atransmit module configured to transmit data blocks on the at least onepair of slots for RTTI blocks and the slot for BTTI blocks.
 18. The userequipment of claim 17, wherein an RTTI block consists of a first pair ofslots in a first TDMA frame and a second pair of slots in a second TDMAframe; and wherein a BTTI block consists of a slot in the first TDMAframe, a slot in the second TDMA frame, a slot in a third TDMA frame,and a slot in a fourth TDMA frame.
 19. The user equipment of claim 18,wherein the single message contains at least: an indication that theassignment is a mixed TTI TBF assignment; indication of slot(s) carryingBTTI block(s); and indication of slot(s) carrying RTTI block(s).
 20. Theuser equipment of claim 18, wherein the single assignment messagecomprises a packet uplink assignment message, a packet downlinkassignment message, or a packet timeslot reconfigure message.
 21. Anetwork access equipment comprising: a transmit module configured totransmit a single assignment message that assigns a single temporaryblock flow, TBF, comprising a first mixed transmit time interval, TTI,combination of slots for time division multiple access, TDMA,communication unidirectionally in one of an uplink and a downlink, thefirst mixed TTI combination of slots in the single TBF being equal to anodd number of slots greater than or equal to three and comprising atleast one pair of slots for reduced transmit time interval, RTTI, blocksand no more than one slot for basic transmit time interval, BTTI,blocks.
 22. The network access equipment of claim 21, wherein thetransmit module is configured to transmit data blocks on the at leastone pair of slots for RTTI blocks and the slot for BTTI blocks.
 23. Thenetwork access equipment of claim 22, further comprising a receivemodule configured to receive data blocks on the at least one pair ofslots for RTTI blocks and the slot for BTTI blocks.
 24. The networkaccess equipment of claim 23, wherein an RTTI block consists of a firstpair of slots in a first TDMA frame and a second pair of slots in asecond TDMA frame; and wherein a BTTI block consists of a slot in thefirst TDMA frame, a slot in the second TDMA frame, a slot in a thirdTDMA frame, and a slot in a fourth TDMA frame.
 25. The network accessequipment of claim 24, wherein the single message contains at least: anindication that the assignment is a mixed TTI TBF assignment; indicationof slot(s) carrying BTTI block(s); and indication of slot(s) carryingRTTI block(s).
 26. The network access equipment of claim 24, wherein thesingle assignment message comprises a packet uplink assignment message,a packet downlink assignment message, or a packet timeslot reconfiguremessage.